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| Sunday, 18 April 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The lonely lives of those who stand on guard by Vimukthi Fernando When the powerful elements of the underworld seek avenues to present holiday makers, returning from their well earned respite, with rude surprises, they are the ones who toil day and night to protect others from harm. The 'security personnel.'
Sentiments When the powerful elements of the underworld are on prowl seeking avenues to present holiday makers returning from their well earned respite with rude surprises, they are the ones who toil day and night to protect others from harm. The 'security personnel.' Standing alert, facing danger, taking responsibility of house and property, and sometimes foregoing meals and rest. The Sunday Observer met with some security personnel who were on duty in and around Colombo, to find out about their life during holidays. The random sample of security personnel were in general agreement that though hard, it is the life they chose to brave. However, sentiments in a fellow officer's statement "This is our bread and butter and therefore, the priority of life. We may have all the facilities, but we do not have a (family or social) life," were echoed throughout. With more and more companies springing up providing private security services some seemed to stand on the positive edge, calling for better facilities. However, some companies including two of repute seemed to exploit the security personnel to the maximum, especially during holidays. Those who shared their views came from the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), Overseas Reality Ceylon, Safeguard, Watchguard, Nova Co., Avant Garde, Guardall, Ceylinco-Cisco and a few others. (Names are withdrawn by request.) Interesting to note was the submission to rank and file and reluctance of personnel in lower ranks to speak. The current holiday, was seen as "far better than the previous years" for it was perceived as a short holiday. The first question Sunday Observer asked was how they would find their meals during holidays. Not a problem at all for Indradewa Mendis, Manager Building Management, Security and Engineering and his staff at Twin Towers, for the company had pre-planned and ordered meals from a restaurant! But, "It was fortunate that the eating houses are not closed today. We do not know what would happen if all close up tomorrow," was the reply of Chandrasekera (not his real name) guarding a building down Bristol Street, a few meters away, and T.N. Amith, Officer in Charge at Galle Face Courts agrees. The security personnel at BOC, Echelon Square had devised their own system. "Each officer is asked to bring one curry from home. I have provided them with enough rice, coconut and other basic ingredients," said their Chief Security Officer, Ranaweera, proud of his 'good deed' for the New Year. Ravi and Ariyadasa guarding a housing complex down Rosmead Place were assured that "the company mobile unit would bring meals, provided free of charge during these two days." D.S. Jayasinghe, guarding an office down Wellawatte had more faith in the 'saiver kade' at the street corner being open for business during the New Year than that of his employees sending a free meal. "They may send or they may not. If you are a troublemaker for the management they may visit you often but they had not visited me for ages," he said. facilities And what about other facilities? BOC personnel were facing the inconvenience of not having central air conditioning. But, fans were provided to beat the heat. S.G. Fernando, guarding a house in Colombo 7 had the owners providing him with a television set to relieve his boredom. T.N. Amith had to face the problem of being short staffed. "Some of the staff work alone, at the farthest corner of the building. Unless I send someone to relieve their duties they cannot move from the post. The rest rooms and the toilet are situated about 200 meters away. And it is trying for them at times," he said. Most of the time the parties seeking the services of security companies provided some facilities. However, the security companies did not seem to care if they were not provided. Neville Perera, working at the car park of a hotel of repute in the heart of Colombo, complained of needing to stay at his feet for the total shift of 12 hours. "We are not even provided a stool. And one colleague of mine left the job recently due to fatigue of standing. He was on duty sometimes 36 hours at a stretch, his legs were swollen by that time," he said. That brought us to the question, for how long does one person have to work? While the normal shift stands at 12 hours (eight hours normal duty plus four hours overtime), a 12 hour shift for a security officer at a private company seemed to be the privileged exception. Only two security officers out of about 12 with whom the Sunday Observer spoke said that they work 12 hour shifts. Guard the post until the next officer returns - seems to be the norm. About eight were on 24 hour shifts at the time we spoke with them, with some hoping to continue with reluctance until the holidays end. Advantage E.U. Silva whom we met at the heart of Colombo was a good example. "I came to work yesterday morning. Perhaps I will have to continue till the 16th," he said. However, one advantage of the place he guards is the relaxed atmosphere from midnight till about 8.00 in the morning, he said. "It gives us an opportunity to catch some sleep, say from midnight till about 5.00 a.m. The management (of the place he guards) knows. But they have accepted it." And how do they feel, being exempted from the social life? Over half of the security personnel the Sunday Observer talked to said that they are Christian, not much involved in the New Year celebrations. They were happy to do their duty on behalf of their Buddhist and Hindu colleagues. However, some found it difficult to stay away from their families at the time of festivity. "I am from the village. I have a family. But, what to do. This gives me a little bit of money to feed them," said Jayasiri guarding an office in Colombo 4. The company he worked in paid three times the normal salary for work on New Year holidays. |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
What would you do if you had to stand to attention day and night alone
most of the time with only a half an hour's break for meals, when the
world around you enters into a festive mood? How would you like it if you
have to do it for a living? Well, that's exactly what they do for a
living. When Colombo goes into its rare moments of slumber. When the
streets are deserted, except for an occasional hum of an air-conditioner,
the sweet notes of a softly played piano or the sound of a motor engine
with nothing to disturb its peace and quiet.
